Plymouth (Massachusetts)

Run by the Society of Mayflower Descendants, tour a beautiful 1750s house and visit the authoritative library on Pilgrim genealogy.

Built in 1640, it is the oldest surviving house in Plymouth. Displays and sells work of local artisan jewelry, pottery and more.

Created in the early 1920s, the park covers the original garden plot that was granted to Elser William Brewster in 1620. Located in the park are several historical monuments, as well as a pretty nature walk along Town Brook, which originally supplied water to the colony. Events are held here often, including a rubber ducky race down the brook.

One of the oldest cemeteries in America containing graves of several Mayflower passengers, many early settlers, and some interesting epitaphs. High spot with nice views of downtown and the harbor.

Thought to be the world's largest solid granite monument, it stands over 80 ft (24 m) tall and was erected in 1889. The monument faces northeast towards Plymouth Harbor (and, roughly, towards Plymouth, England).

Pilgrim Memorial State Park commemorates the landing site of the Pilgrims in 1620 and contains several historical monuments, a craft shop run by Plimoth Plantation, and the portico enshrining Plymouth Rock. Locals will roll their eyes if you express disappointment with the fact that Plymouth Rock is, in fact, just a rock. "What did you expect?" is the reaction you are likely to receive. To be fair, the rock is small, with the year "1620" engraved on it as its only decoration. The rock was once much larger, weighing over 20,000 lb (9,100 kg). It was displayed at several different locations in town over several hundred years, but was broken in half by transport and several large pieces of it were taken or sold. A 40-lb. piece resides in the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims in Brooklyn Heights, New York. Smaller pieces were reportedly chipped off and stolen as "souvenirs." The surviving Plymouth Rock is only 1/3 of the upper half of the original stone, so keep that in mind before passing judgement.

Concert season runs from Sept-May with performances at Memorial Hall. The off season includes a July Fourth free concert on the waterfront, annual gala, and other events.

The historic Priscilla Beach Theatre is the oldest barn theater still in operation in America. Founded by Dr. Franklin Trask in 1937, the theater quickly became one of the most respected schools of theater training in America. In its heyday, as many as 150 actors and actresses were in residence, including Paul Newman, Pat Carroll, Peter Gallagher, and Rob Reiner. Today the renovated theater performs professional summer stock plays and musicals and also offers classes and workshops for children and adults. Summer stock season runs from May-October.

Performances by various bands are given Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights outdoors during the summer near Plymouth Rock.

Manomet village's annual July 3rd festival, celebrated by setting giant bonfires ablaze on Priscilla, White Horse, and Manomet beaches and amateur fireworks displays so numerous one might be convinced fireworks aren't illegal in Massachusetts (they are). This tradition dates back to the 1700s, and is not organized or sanctioned by the town past emergency services setting some limits in the 1990s: permits are now needed for the larger fires, attempts are made to confiscate fireworks, the beaches are patrolled by police on foot, by boat, and by helicopter, and White Horse Beach is cleared by police at 11PM. Despite earning a somewhat bad reputation after trouble-causing out-of-towners overran the parties in the 1990s, today's Bonfire Nights are relatively family-friendly and the town makes every effort to restrict the festivities to residents-only. The majority of the beaches are private and access to them is restricted anyway, and roads leading to and parking anywhere near the beach access points is blocked by police the day of the festival. If you want the chance to experience this unique local tradition, make friends with a local who lives in the area or secure a rental property with access to one of these beaches during this period.

The Holy Ghost Society celebrates the traditional Portuguese festival each summer with a procession through North Plymouth before and after morning Mass, followed by an afternoon of Portuguese food, auctions, folk dancing, and music at Holy Ghost Field.

A parade through downtown in the morning is followed by activities on the Waterfront including food trucks, vendors, and The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra playing a free patriotic-themed concert. A fireworks display in the harbor occurs after dark.

Reenactment of a description of the Pilgrims walking to church given by Isaac DeRaisiers, a Dutch trader, in 1627. Costumed actors parade from the Mayflower Society House, down Water Street past Plymouth Rock, and up Leyden Street to Burial Hill. Organized by the Plymouth Rock Foundation and occurs on Friday evenings during the month of August and on Thanksgiving Day.

Held annually late September-October. Features an art stroll, live poetry performances, concerts, and viewing of the accepted entries and winners of the annual exhibition in painting, drawing, photography, and other media. Artwork submissions for the show are typically submitted in late August for review. Accepted entries are displayed in the show and considered for prizes.

Annual weekend event held in mid-late August. Live shows, crafts, vendors, children's activities and more.

90 minute guided walking history tour in downtown Plymouth, with lessons about the Pilgrims, Native Americans, statues, and monuments of the area. You also get to carry around a metal lantern. Tours depart from the John Carver Inn.

Twilight lantern tours through cemeteries and haunted historical areas. Scavenger hunt for the young and young at heart.

Retail store and tastings available Wednesdays-Saturdays, Noon-8PM and Sunday noon-6PM; Brewery tours Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5:30PM

Cruise Plymouth Harbor aboard the Pilgrim Belle, a Mississippi-style paddlewheeler. Get a narrated account of this historic town and seaport and a mariner’s view of Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II, Plymouth Beach, Clarks Island and Gurnet Lighthouse. Pilgrim history, maritime lore and fascinating information about commercial fishing & lobstering await you on this 1-hour-and-15-minute cruise.

A pirate themed adventure for kids on Plymouth Harbor. Hats, face paint, and the best part - sea battles with water cannons shooting at each other! Ideal for ages 4-11.

Restrooms and lifeguard.

18th-century farmstead, beachfront, salt marsh, rolling meadows, and red pine forest. Recreation activities include walking, bird watching, beach combing and sightseeing.

Restrooms, lifeguards in summer.

Beach park on Billington Sea pond. Picnic tables, food, playground, lifeguards in summer.

Lifeguards, restrooms, food. A beach ferry is available for transportation to and from the limited access beach; inquiries can be made at Plymouth Watersport, 24 Town Wharf, +1 508-747-1577.

Most of the beach is private but there is a public section. Public parking is very limited and most parking requires a resident sticker. Best option is to walk from local hotels or bed and breakfasts. Occasional ice cream truck, no restrooms or lifeguards.

Kayak and canoe rentals, free on-water demos every weekend throughout the season, and kayaking instruction taught by certified instructors on the freshwater Billington Sea.

Seeing the Captain John Boats come and go has been a staple sight in Plymouth harbor for decades. Most popular for deep sea fishing and whale watching.

Specializing in deep sea fishing and sport fishing charters. Also offers whale watching.

18 championship holes over 187 acres. Par 72.

18 hole, 7056 yds, Par 72.

Comprehensive facilities with three golf schools. Jones Course, 36 hole, 7175 yds, Par 72. Nicklaus Course, 36 hole, 7243 yds, Par 72.

18 hole, 4111 yds, Par 61.

18 hole, 2859 yds, Par 57.

Full practice facilities. Championship Course, 27 hole, 7114 yds, Par 72. Challenger Course, 27 hole, 2264 yds, Par 33.